Parent urges moving Ridge Park bus stop off Cedar Grove Road; district to review

A parent told the Colonial School District facilities and transportation committee that a bus stop on Cedar Grove Road used by Ridge Park Elementary students is unsafe and urged the district to move the stop inside the neighborhood.

Jessica Ruinberg, a resident, told the committee she and other parents have been concerned since the start of school about children (several as young as 5) waiting at the bottom of a hill where the posted speed limit is 35 mph and drivers often travel faster. "This is not a safe situation," Ruinberg said, describing a lack of a stop sign, flashing school-zone lights or a protected waiting area and saying drivers "often failing to stop when the bus has its stop sign out."

Ruiznberg said approximately 11 children from her neighborhood ride bus 4 to Ridge Park and that, counting parents and siblings, more than 20 people sometimes crowd the roadside stop. She proposed moving the stop a tenth of a mile into the neighborhood, near mailboxes at Julia Drive and Ella Lane, which she said meets district criteria (sidewalks, wide road, clear visibility). Ruinberg also handed photos of the stop to facilities staff during the meeting.

Transportation staff and board representatives agreed to review the location. "Mister Digi and I will meet with mister Brown and review the stop," a board representative said, and facilities staff asked for Ruinberg's contact information and the photos. Transportation staff member Christopher Brown was named as the staff contact who will review routing and safety considerations.

Ruiznberg asked for a decision "now" rather than months later, saying the neighborhood's condition is more dangerous in inclement weather. Committee members acknowledged receipt of the photos and said they would follow up.

No formal action or vote was recorded at the meeting; the item was referred for staff review.